Landon Donovan disappointed over World Cup snub

In this file photo, U.S. midfielder Landon Donovan (10) reacts to a call against Mexico during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Wednesday, April 2, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. (Rock Scuteri/AP File Photo)

In the moment Landon Donovan publicly related his disappointment at being denied “what I’ve been working toward my whole life,” the greatest player in U.S. soccer history declined to betray any bitterness.

Donovan, sent home from U.S. national team camp by coach Jurgen Klinsmann on Thursday, was back at practice with his Galaxy teammates on Saturday still wondering why he won’t be participating in the World Cup for the fourth time.

“I think if I’m being judged based solely on what happened in camp, then I absolutely deserve to be going to Brazil,” Donovan said. “I’m disappointed. I’m sad. I’m human and I really wanted to go. I’m at peace with it and the decision.

“I just feel in my heart I deserve to be there, and that’s the pill that’s hard to swallow.”

The leading American scorer in international matches with 57 goals has become the face of the sport in his country. But he never seemed to click with Klinsmann, although Donovan refused to elaborate on any issues that may be between them.

And no, he did not miss the tweet sent out by Klinsmann’s son mocking Donovan.

“To be honest, I don’t know his son well,” Donovan said. “So I’m not really sure where that came from.”

Donovan will be back on the field with the Galaxy today when they face Philadelphia at StubHub Center. Few, including himself, did not expect him to be back until after the U.S was finished with next month’s World Cup in Brazil.

He was one of 30 players invited to the camp at Stanford by Klinsmann and one of seven who were released Thursday. He’s technically on the stand-by list, which means he could be recalled if necessary.

But it was clear on a cool, overcast morning that he still was sorting out the reality that for the first time since the 1998 World Cup he will be watching from home as the U.S. tries again to break out on the world stage.

He also had to spend a moment in front of a large media gathering to calm a dispute between a cameraman and reporter and endure questions about David Beckham. Yes, really. But Donovan stayed on point.

“I’m not angry, I’m disappointed,” he said. “I’ve spent most of my adult life and the majority of my life in general dedicating myself to this sport and this country and representing my country.

“I was really looking forward to the opportunity to playing in another World Cup and to help this team. Having been in camp for 10 days I really thought I was going to contribute in a really big way, probably bigger than I expected going in. From that standpoint it’s disappointing. I think every one of my teammates would echo those same words.”

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On Thursday, Klinsmann said Donovan was a shade behind the other players in performance.

“I don’t agree with that assessment,” Donovan said. “I think I was at least as good as everybody else in camp. So from that standpoint I don’t agree with that.

“I think I trained and played very well in camp. I think I was one of the better players, so that’s why this stings a little. If I had gone in and feel like I didn’t deserve it, I can live with that but that’s not the case here.”

After the Galaxy captured the 2012 MLS title, Donovan was granted time off by Galaxy coach Bruce Arena. During that time, Donovan traveled to Asia and basically soaked up life outside of soccer.

He may have viewed the time period as rejuvenation, but Klinsmann may have seen it differently and did not immediately reach out to invite Donovan back to the national team circle.

“I would absolutely do it in the same way,” Donovan said. “I actually think I’m a much better player since I came back. All of this is personal. We’re human beings, so we feel disappointed. We work so hard for these moments. I’ve been very fortunate in my life and my career to be on the positive side of these decisions.

“At the end of the day, we’re players and coaches make decisions, and you have to live with that and respect that. Do we agree with it always? No. That’s the part that’s been hard for me.”